September 2020
President’s Report
What a strange year we are having. You could put that into many contexts. But I think the biggest and most accurate way to define it is ‘change’. Change has come to almost everything we see and how we do it. From not having any face-to-face events, to educational facilities opening and then closing, to almost every way we interact—all have undergone change.
Is this the new normal, a temporary adjustment or some minor adjustment to our interactions? I guess time will tell, and change will continue.
Your AMUG team is also working under the influence of these changes. But one thing that will not change is our concern for your safety and learning opportunities. We will have changes coming, and those may change again in the future. I wish I could define what all of these will be, but only time will tell because the situation is so fluid.
I highly recommend you read all of our communications, as they will be a great way to stay aware of these changes. We will be working very hard to manage all of the necessary changes and keep you informed.
I am very pleased to be part of the team of volunteers working to bring our AMUG event to you. This group is not only managing everything these strange times have put upon of us, but it is also doing an amazing job of responding to our members’ requests. If you have inquired about anything, please give the team members a bit of time to reply. I need to express that most of the questions we have received are not run-of-the-mill. We will get every inquiry answered and make sure all are taken care of.
Be safe, stay warm and healthy, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time…even to say “Hi” or “Thanks.”
Carl Dekker
President
As we begin the search for new AMUG Board members, over the next couple of months our Nominating Committee members will share their personal insights and experiences with AMUG. Our first segment is from Mark Abshire.
Do You L.O.V.E. AMUG?
I am using L.O.V.E. as an acronym meaning ‘Love Offering Valuable Experience.’ That is what AMUG is all about; sharing and learning from each other. And there are a lot of opportunities to contribute to the AMUG organization. No, we are not campaigning for money; instead, something much more valuable–your time.
Your Nominating Committee is searching for those users that have volunteered for and participated in AMUG activities in the past and want to kick it up a notch. We are seeking members that want to take on a rewarding leadership role by volunteering for several executive positions on the AMUG Board. You can view the available Officer and Director positions here.
With our exponential growth, the process has changed from the early years. To save time and focus discussion at the conference business meeting, it has been simplified to a self-nomination form. This allows the Nominating Committee to present qualified nominees to the users group for consideration.
Starting in Q4 of 2020, we will welcome current active members to use the self-nomination form, which will be linked to from our website and in this newsletter. If you have questions regarding the process, positions available, or would like to discuss your interest in participating as a board member, contact us at nomcom@amug.com.
Mark Abshire
Nominating Committee Member
Former AMUG Board Member
Mark Abshire
Nominating Committee Member
Call for Speakers at AMUG Conference
The 2021 AMUG Call for Speakers is now open! The AMUG Conference agenda is broken into two sections, AMUG tracks and Diamond/Platinum Sponsor tracks. This call for speakers is specifically for the AMUG tracks.
The tracks for the 2021 program are:
- Aerospace/Transportation/Defense/Military (Ted Anderson, GE)
- AM Metal Technologies (Mark Barfoot, Buffalo Manufacturing Works)
- AM Technologies Non-Metal (Colton Rooney, EMI Corp; Paul Hojan, Christie Digital)
- Casting (Thomas Sorovetz, FCA US LLC; Edward Graham, ProtoCAM; Jack Ziemba, Aristo-Cast)
- Education and Training (Jordan Weston, MSOE)
- Materials (Nate Schumacher, Midwest Prototyping)
- Medical and Dental (Shannon Van Deren, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting)
- Scanning & Metrology (Giles Gaskell, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence)
- Software (Jordan Weston, MSOE)
We have a great team of track leaders working on developing their programs for 2021. They work very closely with the speakers, panelist, and workshop leaders to ensure the sessions are valuable to the members. However, when responding to the Call for Speakers, we ask interested presenters to contact the Track Leader Committee Chair, Jordan Weston, at trackleader@amug.com. Based on your topic, Jordan will put you in contact with the appropriate track leader.
The track leaders will be looking for training and educational talks; hands-on training sessions; and panel discussions. Note that these presentations and training sessions cannot be sales pitches…these will be rejected. We are expecting to fill up the speaking slots very quickly so don’t delay.
Scholarship Applications
The AMUG Scholarship Committee is happy to announce that scholarship applications are now being accepted.
If you know of any students or educators in the AM/3D printing space, please encourage them to apply. Those selected for the scholarships receive expenses-covered access to the AMUG Conference. The opportunity to attend the AMUG Conference, where the scholarship recipients are immersed in the AM community, is invaluable.
Visit the scholarships page for all the details.
And stay tuned…Katherine Schneidau, the 2020 Guy Bourdeau student scholar, and Christopher Kaminsky, the 2020 Randy Stevens educator, will be making their 2020 AMUG presentations in the very near future.
SPONSOR NEWS
Air Force Rapid Sustainment Officewww.afrso.com
Secretary of the Air Force to Speak at Inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Olympics
The USAF Rapid Sustainment Office is excited to announce that the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara M. Barrett, will join #AMO2020 as a keynote speaker this October. Secretary Barrett is the 25th Secretary of the Air Force and is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and providing for the welfare of 685,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilians (Airmen and families).
She will bring a diverse perspective, and the Advanced Manufacturing Olympics (AMO) is thrilled to welcome her to the main stage to discuss the role of advanced manufacturing and innovation within the Air Force. Join her live and hear her views around supply chain issues, cybersecurity, and much more.
Register for this free virtual event, happening October 20-23, here, and follow the Rapid Sustainment Office on social media for more updates as we eagerly anticipate the inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Olympics!
Secretary of the Air Force, Barbara M. Barrett, to keynote Advanced Manufacturing Olympics.
Computer Aided Technology (CATI)www.cati.com
Design Innovation Month
Throughout the month of October, we invite you to participate in a variety of in-depth webinars, tips and tricks sessions, live demos, and panel discussions. This year’s event will showcase what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2021 and 3DEXPERIENCE WORKS as well as 3D printing and 3D scanning technologies.
To kick things off, we will be hosting a 3-day virtual event from October 6-8 called DI: Live where we will highlight best practices, added features, and examples of how others are leveraging these technologies to grow their businesses. You’ll also be able to visit our exhibit hall to view the latest solutions from CATI, engage with our application engineers and partners, and access a networking lounge where you can interact with your peers and the CATI team. We look forward to seeing you online.
Have a look at our DI Month (DI: Live) calendar here. See all our product offerings here.
Design Innovation Month 2020 includes DI: Live.
ExOnewww.exone.com
ExOne Metal 3D Binder Jetting Now Offered Through Xometry
The ExOne Company, the global leader in industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, and Xometry, the largest U.S. marketplace for custom manufacturing, recently announced their partnership to provide metal binder jet 3D printing services. ExOne is Xometry’s exclusive metal 3D binder jet provider in its Digital RFQ Marketplace, offering its customers fast and cost-effective metal 3D printing.
“ExOne is proud to offer our metal 3D printing services to Xometry customers,” said John Hartner, ExOne’s CEO. “Our industrial binder jet machines can truly take products from prototyping all the way to final production with a single process that is fast, affordable, and sustainable.”
“We’re excited to offer binder jetting to expand the range of services our customers can get from Xometry’s new Digital RFQ Marketplace,” said Randy Altschuler, Xometry’s CEO. “ExOne is a true innovator in additive manufacturing, and we believe this partnership is a big win for our customers.”
Click here to read the full press release.
ExOne partners with Xometry to offer metal binder jetting.
Carbon®www.carbon3d.com
Carbon + CCM: 3D Printing for Next-Generation Hockey Helmets
Until this week, hockey helmet designs had remained largely unchanged for half a century. Now, CCM Hockey has launched a revolutionary helmet containing a 3D printed lattice helmet liner manufactured with the Carbon Digital Light Synthesis™ (Carbon DLS™) 3D printing process.
CCM’s helmet, Super Tacks X with NEST (Next Evolution Sense Technology), offers elite protection for players, along with superior comfort and breathability. With over 130,000 precisely tuned struts, the 3D-printed lattice structure—designed using Carbon® Design Engine software—enables refined control of energy absorption and dissipation to help keep players protected. Custom-fit helmets will be available to all NHL players ahead of the 2021 season, with a retail version also planned for release in Spring 2021.
Read the full announcement here.
CCM’s Super Tacks X with NEST Tech incorporates a 3D printed lattice liner for refined energy absorption and distribution.
DSM Additive Manufacturingwww.dsm.com/additive-manufacturing
DSM’s New Polypropylene Boasts Balance of Properties, Food Contact Approval in Europe
DSM expands its powder portfolio with Arnilene® AM6002 (P), a polypropylene material for 3D printing a wide range of applications across multiple industries.
Arnilene AM6002 (P) has food contact approval in Europe, making it ideal for applications in the food and beverage or nutrition industries. With polypropylene being used extensively in the automotive sector, Arnilene AM6002 (P) is an excellent choice for applications such as dashboard components, interiors, and many others. The material is also suitable for prototyping polypropylene end-use parts.
Arnilene AM6002 (P) offers robust mechanical, chemical and thermal properties and the ability to print complex designs. This easy-to-process material can be run on existing selective laser sintering platforms. The material is hydrophobic and can be used to print large batches of engineering-grade, tough parts without compromising on economics or ease of post processing. With a 90% reuse rate, the material produces less waste, making it a sustainable solution.
Arnilene AM6002 (P) for selective laser sintering.
SLM Solutionswww.slm-solutions.us
Brazilian Medical Company Sartori Invests in SLM Solutions
With the acquisition of a new SLM®280, Sartori is taking an important step in successfully implementing AM in the healthcare sector in Brazil and addresses the expected growth in demand of high-quality and economical medical devices in the market. With more than twenty years of expertise in the production of orthopaedic implants and instruments, Sartori provides its clients and surgeons with a complete range of high-quality surgical implants, bringing about improvements in the lives of patients and generating sustainable benefits.
Sartori works closely with national and international regulatory authorities like ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária) to qualify machines for medical production (IQ, OQ and PQ) while promoting and protecting public health in the approval of medical devices.
Luiz Guilherme Sartori, CEO of Sartori, sees huge advantages in the use of Selective Laser Melting, “Additive Manufacturing gives us the possibility to provide implants and instruments with functional integration that enable improved surgical outcomes, improving patients’ lives.” He further explains, “We decided to work with SLM machines because they provide process safety due to the closed-loop powder handling and have a sintered wall in the process chamber that improves gas flow and part quality. The part quality achieved with the SLM 280 was a decisive advantage for us.”
Read the full story here.
Stratasyswww.stratasys.com
How Do You Measure Speed?
AM is known for its effectiveness as a rapid prototyping solution. Less known is its capability for rapid manufacturing. Under the right circumstances, it can beat any other form of manufacturing in a test of speed. More importantly, however, it succeeds when conventional supply chains simply can’t compete.
That fact was evident earlier this summer on the INDYCAR racing circuit. A new race car safety feature was making things a little too hot for drivers, and the problem became critical after several grueling races in excessive heat. INDYCAR needed a solution for 24 cars before the next race the following weekend. So how do you go from an idea to bolt-on fix in less than a week? If you answered “additive manufacturing,” you’re right.
Read the full story at the Stratasys blog.
AM resolves critical problem for INDYCARs.
Forward AM by BASFwww.forward-am.com
Getting Serious about Serial Production with Ultrasint® PA6 MF
As we continue our journey to making material advances for AM, a long time BASF partner, Midwest Prototyping (MWP), has completed testing and production setup for Ultrasint® PA6 MF. Founded in 2001 and having over 40 machines with facilities in Wisconsin and Colorado, MWP is a service bureau specializing in AM for prototyping and low-volume production.
MWP will offer our Ultrasint PA6 MF (mineral reinforced) material which enables the production of exceptionally strong powder bed fusion parts. Thanks to in-particle reinforcement technology, this material provides high isotropic rigidity, media tightness, and enhanced thermal distortion performance. Application examples include: engine bay parts, media flow and storage parts (i.e. oil), housing and covers, and tooling equipment and molds, among others.
Benefits at a glance:
- Exceptionally high strength and rigidity
- Media tightness as printed
- Very high HDTs (high heat deflection temperatures)
- In-particle reinforcement technology
To make your part using Ultrasint PA6 MF click here or contact us at sales@basf-3dps.com.
Learn more by visiting Midwest Prototyping.
Essentiumwww.essentium3d.com
Additive Manufacturing Applications for Mitigating Supply Chain Risk
In recent months long-established supply chains have faltered leading to shipment delays of key components, idle assembly lines, and furloughed workers. Manufacturers need a ‘Plan B’ to keep their supply chains flowing and factory floors in production. AM can be a vital element of ‘Plan B’ with applications that can create alternative means to produce key components and/or molds – on site – and keep production moving. It can significantly mitigate supply chain risk, reduce costs, transportation time and bring manufacturing back, well, to the point of manufacturing.
To find out how AM is being deployed to mitigate supply chain risk and the implications for industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, and more, join Essentium’s virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, October 13 at 9am – 10am CST, hosted by Blake Teipel, CEO of Essentium, with distinguished guests:
- Major Alex Goldberg, Chief Innovation Officer, Texas Military Department
- Volker Hammes, Managing Director of New Business GmbH, BASF
- Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Driver, Owner and Founder Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM)
Please register here.
Panelists for the October 13 webinar on supply chain risk mitigation.
Renishaw, Inc.www.renishaw.com/am
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Metal AM part produced by Knust-Godwin.
GE Additivewww.ge.com/additive
Join Us for a Live Webinar
Register for our next edition of Webinar Wednesday on September 23, 2020— Binder Jet Additive Manufacturing: How this Technology will Disrupt the High-Volume Casting Industry.
Join this webinar to learn about the new innovations in Binder Jet technology that are putting it on the path to disrupt manufacturing methods like castings and help industries innovate and get to market faster.
Click here to register for this free webinar.
Webinar on Binder Jetting and disruption of casting industry.
MEDIA PARTNER NEWS
Make Parts Fastwww.makepartsfast.com
How to Recycle Machined Metal Scrap into AM Powder
Many users of 3D printing/AM technology are concerned with its potential impact on the environment. Often the focus is on resin-based prototypes ending up in landfills and taking years to degrade. But other materials also end up as scrap, such as that from machining and similar subtractive processes. One company has made it a mission to turn this scrap into usable metal powder for AM. The company is 6K Inc. Recently, Leslie Langnau, consulting editor, had a chance to interview Aaron Bent, CEO at 6K, about how they turn manufacturing scrap into AM “gold.”
Read the story here.
6K Inc.’s process converts scrap to metal powder for AM.
Digital Engineeringwww.digitalengineering247.com
Automotive Focus in Latest Issue of DE
The September issue of Digital Engineering magazine is focused on innovations in automotive design, with a spotlight on autonomous and electric vehicles. The issue includes stories on ABcar Oldtimers’ use of 3D printing to restore vintage cars, major restructuring at 3D Systems, and the use of simulation and virtual reality for designing self-driving cars. We also take a look at innovations in large-format AM.
You can download the digital issue here.
Automotive featured in September issue.
Metal AM Magazine www.metal-am.com
Precious Metal AM in the Jewelry Sector
Rich in creativity and rooted in a long artisanal manufacturing heritage, one would imagine that there can be few sectors as perfectly suited to embrace the potential of metal AM than jewelry. In reality, however, the sector continues to hold back on the full-scale adoption of AM, despite numerous successes.
Why is the jewelry sector holding back? And in an industry which seems otherwise hesitant, how are some jewelry makers taking advantage of the design freedom and unique capabilities offered by AM?
Get the answers in this exclusive article by Michela Ferraro-Cuda, available to read for free in Metal AM magazine, Summer 2020. Here, Ferraro-Cuda considers progress to date in the adoption of precious metal AM in the jewelry industry and showcases a number of leading designers who have leveraged the technology’s potential for innovation and differentiation.
AM and Jewelry insights from Michela Ferraro-Cuda in the latest issue.
3DPrint.comwww.3Dprint.com
Critical Analysis: Desktop Metal’s SPAC Deal
Vice president of research at SmarTech Analysis, Scott Dunham, provides a critical look at the recent decision by 3D printing unicorn Desktop Metal to join the New York Stock Exchange through a reverse merger with special acquisitions company Trine. Dunham examines the firm’s claims that doing so will result in post-transaction equity of up to $2.5 billion.
Read the analysis here.
Desktop Metal’s reverse merger analyzed in new report.
Additive Manufacturing Mediawww.additivemanufacturing.media
Starting Next Week: AM In-Depth Explores 3D Printing for Production
The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) has gone virtual for 2020, with exhibitor showrooms, networking opportunities, and educational conferences now available through the IMTS Spark digital platform.
Beginning next week, the editors of Additive Manufacturing magazine will host AM In-Depth, an educational series of discussions with AM users and experts. Sessions will take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the weeks of September 21 and 28, with two speakers per day at 1:00 and 2:30 pm Eastern. Presenters come from OEM manufacturers like Varroc Lighting Systems; research institutions like Penn State University; and contract manufacturers like Cumberland Additive, Knust-Godwin and Tangible Solutions.
Register for FREE and be sure to add sessions to your MySpark Planner to gain access.
Mechanical Engineering Magazinewww.asme.org/topics-resources
3D Printing Goes Critical with Nuclear Reactor Core
Scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory optimized a design to produce a 3D-printed prototype reactor core rapidly. This prototype is the world’s first 3D-printed nuclear reactor core. In place of the rods, plates, and pebbles, the team of engineers was able to leverage the power of 3D printing and replace those features with complex geometries that enhance heat transfer.
Read the story here.
Read about ORNL’s 3D printed nuclear reactor core.
The Additive Reportwww.theadditivereport.com
AM in Action
Below are some of the posts you’ll find at The Additive Report website:
- Shops explain how 3D printing takes the tedium out of sandcasting.
- Interview with the VP of strategy at 3D Systems. Read it here.
- ICME helps optimize 3D printing operations. Read it here.
If you don’t receive the magazine, please subscribe at our website.
Sand printers allow different parts to be produced in a single build.
TCT Magazinewww.tctmagazine.com
On the Latest Episode of Additive Insight …
TCT’s Additive Insight podcast series continues with a conversation with Sherry Handel, executive director at the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA) about the organization’s mission, as well as sustainability challenges and opportunities facing 3D printing.
As Handel tells TCT, “While the economic and technical superiority of additive manufacturing is well known within key industries, its benefits in sustainability are often less well understood. The AMGTA was founded specifically to promote these benefits within key industries and to the public in general.”
The interview is the latest in our Executive Interview series, which so far includes conversations with AM leaders such as Materialise CEO Fried Vancraen, EOS CEO Marie Langer, Carbon CEO Ellen Kullman, and more.
You can listen to the show on all of your favorite podcast platforms and join in the discussion on the Additive Manufacturing Global Community Discord channel.
Latest podcast features Sherry Handel, executive director at the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association.
3D Metal Printing Magazinewww.3dmpmag.com
Quality Control Focus in Fall 3D Metal Printing
A functional part for critical end use demands quality control throughout any process, but even more so in exacting world of metal AM. Recognizing the need for material and process qualification, and assurance of a final AM part that meets or exceeds a host of requirements, 3D Metal Printing goes all in on quality control in our Fall 2020 issue, due out in October. And, though Formnext 2020 has been canceled, the Fall 3DMP issue has the latest on technology developments. This follows 3DMP’s extensive coverage of AM machine technology in our Summer issue, out now and available at www.3dmpmag.com.
The fall issue of 3DMP covers the progress in tools to ensure repeatable production of quality parts, such as automated anomaly detection (shown here) from SigmaLabs’ PrintRite3D Inspect software.
Note: AM is the abbreviation for additive manufacturing.